Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman was taken out of Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox early due to a cut on his right middle finger, the team told Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae.
Gausman threw 58 pitches over 3.0 innings and gave up two runs, both earned, on four hits while recording four strikeouts.
Speaking to reporters after the game, manager John Schneider says the injury to Gausman is something he has dealt with before.
“It was a weird cut on his middle finger. It happens to get flared up sometimes with his split (ball),” Schneider explained. “If this was a playoff game or earlier in the year where circumstances were different he would have kept going.”
When asked if Gausman would have to alter his preparation heading into the playoffs, Schneider said it was something he went through last year and knows how to manage it.
Gausman told reporters that he expects to get laser treatment on the cut, which is beside the fingernail. The irritation occurs when he throws his splitter, but he said he would have stayed in the game if this were the playoffs.
“With the post-season coming, I didn’t want to make it any worse,” Gausman said. “It’s unfortunate that it happened in my last regular season starts, but now I’ve got some time to get it right.”
The Blue Jays and Red Sox were tied 2-2 when Gausman was removed and Zach Pop came in relief ahead of the fourth inning.